Filing cabinet drawer



1952 H. H. OLSON ETAL FILING CABINET DRAWER 7 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed May 25, 1950 ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1952 H. H. OLSON ET AL 2,514,019

FILING CABINET DRAWER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 23, 1950 EN TORS ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED, STATES- PATENT 1* Johnson, Lakewood; N. Y.,"'assignorseto-Art Y Metal-ConstructionCompany, :Jamestowm-N Applic ion May 23,11950, Serial Noelfitfl'i" i.

This. inv ntion elates .to'filine ab net. w ershhayingfcomlqression ,platesdisposed at the rear ends thereof mounted to permit the'files'in the drawers to .be rendered more *readilyaccessi ble whentheqdrawers are open, and for com- 5 pressingthe files when the drawers are closed.

One of the objects ofthis invention is to-pro; vide'ga filing cabinet drawer witha hinged back or compression plate, ,which when the draweris opened, willyjreely swing; rearwardly to "render '10 the files more accessible, and which" is automaticallymoved into'a vertical position to'compress the V files during' the closing movement of-the drawenandin which this movement ofthe com pression plate is-efffected by an improved mech anism which requiresvery little effort- -ongthe part of the user'of thefiling--cabinet.-- Anotherobj ect ofthis invention is to ;prvid e a toggle mechanismq connected withfl the compression plate iii-such a N manner that '-the compressionplate is moved automatically into its file com pressingposition during the movement of the drawer into closed-position.-

Other objects and advantages will"- be appar-- ent from the following description of one embodi= ment ofthe invention and the novel fQ/lillIBS Will be particularly'pointed out hereinafterin-com; nection with the appended claims;

In the accompanyingdrawingsr- Fig.1'is a perspective view of a filing cabinet drawer-embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is: a fragmentary side elevation thereof, partly in section;- =showing the drawer in the, position inwhichthecompression plate is in rearwardllyswungposition to renderthe contents of the drawer readily accessible.

Fig. 3 isn-a similar fragmentary-view showingthedrawer 1111010886.:DOSifiOIlpil'l which the file's r are compressed.-='

Figs.-.4,: 5 and 6 are-:respectively fragmentary transverse. sectional elevations 1thereof,-on--linesi 4--4,:.5+V5 :and-,6+6 of Fig: 3:

Filing cabinet drawers embodying this invenztion maybenmounted in 'cabinetsa'of any desired." construction=--- A steel cabinetlis :shown by way of exam-pleinthe;drawings in-gwhich-alll :repre-sw sents the rear wall of thecasing ofthegfiling cabr; inet and l l represents the side walls,

The cabinet, is provided-with the usual frame members(not shown) ,to the outer-surfaces of: which-the side walls ll maybe weldedor Other-w wise secured. Suitable guide rails I 2' are provided: at opposite sidesof the cabinetin the lower pore tion'of .eachdraweri compartment and these guidw rails are securedqto the inner; surfaceseof :--the=;

memembers f,t .ce n -ru hese ulderailse 2 J-j. are preferably; of channel shape asShOWn nfFfg 4, withtheir flangesextending inWardIyintQ'ithe cabinet," and may be provided-with means of any? suitable kindfor. guiding a drawer imits: move mentrinto and out of-the'gcabinett"Such means-,-;; if desired;--may include intermediate slides-which; slide relatively to the guide 'rails'l 2 and relatively to which-the drawer may slide, so that;the:drawer 1* may be moved completely out of the cabinet, Any other -means *for guiding'the -drawer in fits movement into and out; of the cabinet mayrhowe"; ever,-beprovided. The'filing drawer; exceptasihereinafterspecie? fied; may also be of any suitableor desired-son'- struction; that shown'by'way -0f-example incln' ing -adrawer front 15 which is rigidly secured? j to :dra-wer sides l6 *-and"-11-, and l8 represent's'the-w" drawer bottom which may -"--be -of "any su-itableif construction." The drawer sides may alsobe pro- I vided at or neartheir; xoutereedges' witlr iongitm dinally extending angle bars-1 9 which may coa'v operate with suitable rollers or tracks- (not shown) 'forguidingthe drawer while' sliding-into: and out of the cabinet relatively to "th'e'guide rails j l2; The-lower portions: of the-sidewalls of fthe I drawer are-preferably connecte'd at therear end thereof: bymeans of asstripifl which may b' welded t'o -partsof-theside walls IB and l! of the drawer; The upper-edgesof the-side walls of-the'y drawer maybe-turned over tdsprovide channelle'cl portions 2 l which stiffen=-the 'side' walls The rear end' of the drawer is -closed *bymeans of a compressionror back plate 112 2'Pthe" flower-end of which :may: be hinged= in" any suitable manner on the 3 drawers In "the constructi'on sl lowmfon this,-:purpose,athe compression" plate 22- is pro videdrat thei-lowen end 1 thereof w-ith- -aplurality of downwardlyextending tong'ues 24;- which may extend ithrough slots .formed-in the bottom I 8' 0 the. drawer near :the rear-fiend thereof. The lowe endsofxthese tongues may beabe'nt tolie' substan tially parallelto'vthe bott'om,-'-sthus -formin'g pro-= iectionsmr 'ofisets; 25:-::wh'ich serve tovhold the I tonguesoagainst iwithdrawalifrom the slots andthusipreventrthe "lifting of thezcompression plat 22 out of zoperative relationitoithe bottom 14 o the; drawer. Any; otherssuitable means: for hing inggthe lower end; ofsthe:compressiomplateitoith' drawer:=may:be provided-rifndesired. 4. The sides :OfithB: compressionzplatef are pretereably; bent into'-r;subst;antia1=1y r channel form: ass; shownnat: 2 6* to. reinforce; thesame andctheuppemr" endof the-compressiompla-te may bexturned over or beaded @S'zSh'QWI-l .atez'lm: Theeompressiomplat may also. have-anwpening za fshereinebyrmean of which the bead n21! o f-sthesacomnression platen? 3 may be readily grasped by the hand of the operator.

The pivotal connection between the compression plate and the drawer bottom enables the compression plate to be swung into a rearwardly inclined position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the -files contained in the drawer are readily accessible, and into an upright position as shown in Fig. 3, in which the contents of the drawer are compressed. It is desirable to provide means for moving the compression plate into upright or compressing position when the drawer is closed and for holding the same in that position until the drawer is again opened, whereupon the compression plate should be released so that it may swing into the inclined positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to accomplish these purposes, the compression plate or drawer back is provided intermediate of its ends with a transversely extending rod which extends through upright slots 32 in the channel portions 26 at the sides of the compression plate. In order to space the rod 30 from the back surface of the compression plate, rearwardly extending beads 33 are preferably provided on the compression plate 22 against which the rod may bear and on which the rod may roll while moving lengthwise of the slots 32.

The opposite ends of the rod 30 extend through apertures formed in the rear ends of a pair of slide bars 34 which are guided for longitudinal movement in the channelled upper portions 2| of the sides I6 and I! of the drawer, which form guides in which the slide bars 34 may move lengthwise of the drawer. The rods 30 may have their opposite ends threaded and may be provided with nuts 36 for maintaining the ends of the rod 30 in correct relation to the slide bars 34, or other means may be provided for holding the rods in correct relation to the slide bars.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for moving the slide bars 34 forwardly in the channelled portions 2| for moving the hinged compression plate positively into its upright or compressing position. In the construction shown for this purpose, a link 40 is employed for each slide bar 34. one end of which extends into the channel-shaped portion 2| of the drawer side through an elongated slot or opening in the lower face thereof as clearly shown in Figs. 4 to 6, and ispivoted at 42 to the slide bar 34. Suitable means are provided for pushing the link 40 forwardly with reference to the drawer when the drawer is being moved into its closed position, for example, by having the link engage a stationary part of the cabinet. Preferably this is accomplished by means of a toggle mechanism of which the link 40 forms a part. In the construction shown by way of example, the other end of the link 40 is pivotally connected to one end of another link 4|. The other end of the link 4| is pivotally connected with the drawer side, for example to the channel-shaped portion 2| of the drawer side, by means of a pivot pin 43. In order to provide space for the upper ends of the links 40 and 4| within the channelled portion 2|, the slide bar 34 is provided with an offset portion 44, and in order to permit longitudinal movement of the slide bar 34 relatively to the pivot 43, the slide bar is provided with a slot through which the pivot 43 extends. The slots 45 also serve to limit the extent to which the slide bars 34 may move back and forth within the channelled portions 2| of the sides of the drawer. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when the slide bars are moved rearwardly so that the compression plate 22 is in the inclined position, the front ends of the slots 45 will engage the stationary pivots 43 and when the compression plate is in upright position as shown in Fig. 2, the other ends of the slots will engage the stationary pivots 43. Any other means for limiting the movement of the compression plate may be employed, if desired. The links 40 and 4| are pivotally connected with each other by means of a pivot pin 46. A similar mechanism is provided on each side of the drawer, so that both slide bars 34 may be moved simultaneously to move the compressor plate into its upright position.

From the construction described, it will be obvious that if upward pressure is applied to the links at or adjacent to the pivot pin 46, the links will be swung by a toggle action from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 into the position shown in Fig. 3. Since the pivots 43 are fixed relatively to the drawer sides, upward movement of the pivots 46 will force the links 40 to move toward the drawer front |5, and consequently, to carry the slide bars 34 toward the drawer front, thus moving the compression plate 22 about its pivot into the upright position shown in Fig. 3.

Means are also provided for automatically moving each pivotal connection 46 between the toggle links upwardly as the drawer is moved into its closed position. In the construction shown for this purpose, the toggle mechanisms are actuated by means of inclined surfaces or tracks which are fixed with relation to the cabinet side walls I and so positioned as to move the pivotal connections between the links 40 and 4| upwardly. These inclined surfaces may be provided in any desired manner, for example, by means of upwardly inclined flanges 50 provided on plates 5|, the lower ends of which may be suitably secured, for example, by welding the same to the outer surfaces of th guide rails l2. In order to facilitate the movement of the toggle links, each pivot connecting the links may be provided with a roller 52.

In the operation of the mechanism described, it will be obvious that when the drawer is being moved from its partly open position shown in Fig. 2 into the closed position shown in Fig. 3, each of the rollers 52 will move into engagement with the lower portion of the inclined flange 50 and as the movement of the drawer into its closed position continues, the roller 52 together with the pivotal connection 46 between the links 40 and 4| will be moved upwardly, thus forcing the slide bar 34 rearwardly and drawing the compression plate into its upright position. At its upper end the inclined portion or flange 50 terminates in a straight or horizontal portion 53 on which the roller 52 will rest when the drawer is in fully closed position, thus securely holding the compressor plate in upright or compressing position.

The mechanism described has the advantage that very little effort on the part of the user of the drawer is required to move the compression plate in its upright position. When a drawer is filled with files or other materials which are to be compressed, it is obvious that the initial movement of the compressor plate from its inclined position toward its upright position will require comparatively little effort. However, the final movement of the compressor plate into its upright position will require considerable force slnce during the latter part of this movement compression is applied to the files or contents.

manger-er;

xt wiir -benoted-that when 'tlie'compression M A platens in upright positionfas shown in-Figh 3, the pivot- 4651mmof alinemenoon below a line f connecting thefpiVbtS 42 'an'd #3. Consequently? whenthe drawer' is 'pulled-put to a suifnfc'ientex 1 I tent -to move the 'rol1er-""52 "-out of "engagement with the incline Edythe =link's ll) and "4 l*-'can be easilymoved into th"e'- positions shown in"'Fi*gs. '1 and -"2,"-sothat the compression plaite will readily move intoits'inclinedpositionr' H The mechanismdescribed hasthe 'furthe'r ad?- vantage -th'at when-the compression plateis in upright" position; 'itf is maintained in such posi'- tion by-the toggle links' and-by me'ansof-a down?" ward forceacting-on the-horizontal 'portion53 'of' the flange of the plate 5|. There is, conse quent1y; no--tendency :d eto the pressure exerted on the-compression-plate by the contents of the drawer, to move theldrawer toward open position.

It will be understood'that various changes in the z"details','imaterials; and arrangernents-of parts which have been herein described-andillustrated in order to explain :the:'nature?of'z'fthe'iinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art within. the principle and scope of the invention as .exr pressed intheappended claims; r

we clainras our invention: .2

1; A filingcabinet' provided with a drawer having'a "compressionplate' at the rear thereof for" compressing the contents of the drawer and having the lower portion thereof pivotally mounted on said drawer to swing into a rearwardly inclined position to render the drawer contents readily accessible and into a substantially upright position to compress said contents, a slide bar slidable lengthwise of said drawer and having the rear end thereof connected with said compression plate, a toggle mechanism including a v pair of pivotally connected links, one of said links having its free end pivoted on said slide bar and the other link having its free end pivoted on said drawer, said links extending downwardly toward their pivotal connection with each other when said compression plate is in rearwardly inclined position, and a part on said cabinet acting on said last mentioned pivotal connection to raise the same when said drawer is moved into closed position to move said slide bar in a direction to swing said compression plate into upright position.

2. A filing cabinet provided with a drawer hav-- ing a compression plate at the rear thereof for compressing the contents of the drawer and having the lower portion thereof pivotally mounted on said drawer to swing into a rearwardly inclined position to render the drawer contents readily accessible and into a substantially upright position to compress said contents, a slide bar slidable lengthwise of said drawer and having the rear end thereof connected with said links which are pivotally connected with'iieach j eom ressmm iateaa'-edggleameenamsmeaciudm' a pairs-of pivotally. connected links;-.-on f--"said links havingeitsefree "-endpivotedn on''-said 5s1i bar andthother link having its'i-ree' en'dpivoted orr said-.drawer,-'- said '-*link 'extending downwardly toward their" pi-v'otal'*connection-*vvith each other f whensaid compression plate' is'in rearwardl'yin clined "position-,' and apart on said'cabinet have ing a -"-rearwardlyand- "upwardly --'in'clined track- T which acts on *said"pivotally= connected'portions' of said :links' to move" the sameoupwardlwwhen 't-' saiddr'awer is movedr'in'to "its-closed 'position,*-to' move-said suds; bar-"ina directionto 'swing sai'd compression plate- "into upright" position:-'-

3. A filing' pabinehand *drawer' according to claim 2,-in which 'sa'idinclined track on *said cabinetis in the-=fornr of-'a 'plate" secured-'tmsaidcabinet and having an inclined'trackat its'jupp er f' edge which co operates with those ends :of said other: la-A -filing" cabinet =anddrawer'according to claim 2, in I which-"said inclined '-trackipn' said cabinet-is in the form' of a: platesecuredto'said cabinet and having aninclined-tmckat itsiupperi'I edge whichcooperates with "those "endsi ofljfs'ai links" which are "pivotally :connected .with'" eac other; said inclined track terminating ina' sub stantiall'y' horizontal" surface which holds" said links in' th'eir "raised "positions when said drawer is closed. 5. A -filing 'jcabinet "and drawer "according jto, claim I 2, inwhich" said 'inclin'ediftrac'k on said. cabinet "is in the form" of a platefsecur'ed to'jsaid if cabinetand having aninclinedtra'ckat its upper I): edge "which "cooperates withthose ends of "said? links which are pivotally connected with ,each'" other,- and 'inwhich said link's'jjat jf'th'ejr piy'ot'a connection'witheach "other" haveja roller; ,w rolls'on said inclined'tra'ckf j 6. A "filing-cabinet provided with a drawer, having a compressionplate "at' ithe rear thereof. .7 for-*compressingth'e contents of the drawer and having the lower portion thereof pivotally mounted on said drawer to swing into a rearwardly inclined position to render the drawer contents readily accessible and into a substantiallyupright position to compress said contents, that improvement for swinging said compression plate into upright. position to compress the contents of the drawer which includes a pair of slide bars slidable lengthwise at opposite sides of said. drawer, a transversely extending rod connecting said slide bars and said compression plate, a toggle mechanism at each side of said drawer, each of said toggle mechanisms comprising a pair of links each having one end thereof pivotally connected to the other link, a pivot fixed to said drawer and about which one of said links may turn, the other link being pivotally connected with said slide bar, and parts on said cabinet at opposite sides of said drawer engaged by said toggle mechanisms to swing said toggle links in a direction to move them toward alinement with each other for moving said slide bars forwardly with reference to said drawer to swing said compression plate into substantially upright position. '7. A filing cabinet and drawer according to claim 6, and which includes means mounted on said cabinet and engaged by said toggle mechanisms to hold said compression plate in upright position when said drawer is closed.

8. A filing cabinet and drawer according to claim 6, in which said slide bars are provided with longitudinally extending slots through which said 7 pivots connecting one of the links of each to gle mechanism to said drawer extend, the ends oi said slots engaging said pivots for limiting the swinging movement of said compression plate.

9. A filing cabinet provided with a drawer having a compression plate at the rear thereof for compressing the contents of the drawer and having the lower portion thereof pivotally mounted on said drawer to swing into a rearwardly inclined position to render the drawer contents readily accessible and into a substantially upright position to compress said contents, saiddrawer having sides provided at their upper edges with channelled portions for reinforcing said drawer sides, that improvement which includes slide bars slidable in said channelled portions of said drawer sides and connected with said compression plate, a toggle mechanism for each slide bar, each toggle mechanism comprising a pair of links each having one of its ends pivotally connected to an end of the other link, a pivot connecting the other end of one of said links to said drawer and extending through said channelled portion of a drawer side, a pivotal connection between the other end of the other link and said slide bar, and means on the cabinet 1 for swinging said toggle links toward alinement with each other when the drawer is moved into closed position for moving said slide bars to swing said compression plate into substantially upright position.

10. A filing cabinet and drawer according to claim 9, in which each of said slide bars is provided with a longitudinal slot through which said pivot extends, said slots limiting the extent of movement of said slide bars and said compression plate.

11. A filing cabinet and drawer according to claim 9, in which said means on said cabinet for actuating said toggle links comprise upwardly and rearwardly inclined tracks which are engaged by said toggle mechanisms when said draweris moved into closed position, said incontents readily accessible and into a substan-v tially upright position to compress said contents, a slide bar slidable lengthwise of said drawer and having the rear end thereof connected with said compression plate, a link connected at one end thereof with said slide bar, another link having one end thereof pivotally connected to the other end of said first mentioned link, the other end of said other link being pivotally connected with said drawer, and a rearwardly and upwardly inclined track secured on a fixed part of said cabinet and which cooperates with the pivotal connection of said links with each other to move said pivotal connection upwardly when said drawer is moved into its closed position and thereby move said slide bar in a direction to swing said compression plate into upright posi- ,tion.

HERBERT H. OLSON.

MILTON A. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,129,282 Ellison Feb. 23, 1915 2,116,370 Watkins May 3, 1938 2,310,879 Straubel Feb. 9, 1943 2,486,564 Kamin r Nov. 1, 1949 

